Posted on by Holly Cain

The eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series eNASCAR Finish Line 150 will take place this Sunday (1 p.m. ET on FOX where available, FS1 and the FOX Sports App) from the virtual Dover International Speedway where so many of the sport’s best drivers plan to continue this well-received and competitive offering for race fans. 

The opening five events of this series have produced thrilling finishes, crowned new stars and been an overall upbeat racing alternative during this unprecedented pause in real-time sports action as the world responds to the COVID-19 pandemic.

RELATED: Entry list for Dover | Paint schemes for virtual race

Reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch is the only multi-time winner in all three premier NASCAR series – with three NASCAR Cup Series, five NASCAR Xfinity Series and four NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series victories. NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Labonte and current NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee Dale Earnhardt Jr. have also won in both the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series at the track.

Kevin Harvick is a two-time NASCAR Cup Series winner at Dover, most recently earning the 2018 spring race trophy. He has competed in two of the previous eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series events, with a best showing of 12th last week at virtual Talladega Superspeedway after starting 24th on the grid. Although the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion has a pair of simulators at home – one a Christmas gift for his young son, Keelan – he said he really hadn’t used them much previously.

“It’s been a crash course in how to do all this, and I’ve been able to get everything going and get up to speed and make it enjoyable now to where it’s not just trying to figure out what buttons to push or how to reset the wheel,” said Harvick, who drives the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford. “It’s been a lot of fun.”

Competing in this series has been fun but also an eye-opener for Harvick and many of the veterans who did not use race simulators on a regular basis in the same way as the younger drivers have recently.

That includes Dover’s all-time best, 11-time winner Jimmie Johnson.

The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion is still looking for his first top-10 finish in the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series but feels more optimistic with each race. Certainly competing at a virtual venue where he is certifiably best in the business is encouraging. As with Harvick, Johnson had little sim experience at all coming into this specially-developed series.

For Johnson, it has meant purchasing a new simulator, learning a new line of communication and, essentially, getting comfortable with a new alternate reality, one he says took a little getting used to.

“I belly-flopped so bad in the first event I ran that people were reaching out to me,” Johnson said. “Dale Jr. actually sent me a text saying, ‘I know you need help. There’s a four-time Cup Series champion in iRacing that wants to help you and he knows what he’s doing. You should get in touch with him.'”

Johnson did get in touch and has worked with his “driving coach” since.

“It’ll be cool this week,” Johnson said. “The visual piece is very accurate. But the frustrations I had at Richmond (Raceway) in the real car, I had in the fake car, so things do cross over. I’m hopeful I will have a good showing.”

RELATED: Pro Invitational Series Power Rankings: Who’s No. 1?  

The whole eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series experience has been enlightening to many competitors, and Harvick is certain it may present a golden opportunity to draw in new NASCAR fans.

“For us, we’re very fortunate we have a platform like this to entertain our fans and stay engaged with our fans right now,” Harvick said. “The one thing I hope comes out of this whole process is that everybody has conversations about continuing to intertwine with them.

“When you look at the console side and iRacing and the benefit of having our fans watch their races, we benefit just as much from having their fans watch our races. “How do we carry all those fans and cross-market those people to keep them involved in our sport.”

Certainly the racing has to be a huge draw. The virtual competition has been and remains essentially a showcase for several drivers such as William Byron, the only multiple winner in the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series to date, as well as Timmy Hill, who has a win (at virtual Texas Motor Speedway) and four top-10 finishes in the five races to date. Neither has won in real-time at Dover, but Byron has led more laps than any driver in this eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series and his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet is understandably expected to be the car to beat – again.

RELATED: Most laps led in Pro Invitational Series races

Denny Hamlin, who won the inaugural eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway is a former two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series winner at Dover. Earnhardt – a three-race winner at Dover – has three top-10 finishes in the opening five series races, including a runner-up to Hamlin at Homestead.

This week’s Dover race will be 150 laps and allow for one reset. There will be manual cautions and three attempts at a green-white-checkered flag finish. Two-lap, single-car qualifying runs will set the grid, but the top 10 positions will be inverted. The top-three finishers from last week’s Talladega race – Alex Bowman, Corey LaJoie and Ryan Preece – will start at the rear of the field.

The Saturday Night Thunder 125-lap feature from Dover – featuring many drivers from the NASCAR Xfinity  and Gander RV & Outdoor Truck Series competitions – will be held at 8 p.m. ET Saturday with broadcast on NASCAR’s YouTube channel and eNASCAR.com/live. The top-six finishers in four heat races plus two drivers from the Last Chance Qualifier move to the feature. The top-five finishers from last week’s race – Landon Huffman, Josh Berry, Joe Graf Jr., Tommy Joe Martins and Spencer Boyd – will start at the rear of the grid.

Posted on by Staff Report

The NASCAR industry, drivers and its partners are lending a hand as part of the country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Find out what work is taking place and how you can join and help in the effort.

RELATED: NASCAR timeline, schedule updates and more

TRACKS
Atlanta Motor Speedway: The Georgia track is teaming up with The American Red Cross for a blood drive on May 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time at the Tara Ballroom in the trackside condominium complex. The track hosted a blood drive on April 6 as well. | LEARN MORE … The track along with Hampton Elementary and the Atlanta Community Food Bank will host four mobile market days at the track on May 1, 8, 15 and 22 starting at 11 a.m. ET. During each open market, families may receive 30 to 40 pounds of food items free of charge, while supplies last. The market days are open to anyone in the community and supplies are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. | LEARN MORE

Charlotte Motor Speedway: In partnership with the speedway, Atrium Health has created a Coronavirus Testing Center at zMAX Dragway, part of the Charlotte Motor Speedway complex. The remote testing site provides a convenient location for residents of northern Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties to have their tests performed, when ordered by their physician. Testing for COVID-19 is conducted without patients having to get out of their cars, which reduces the possibility of infecting other patients and healthcare workers. Tests are administered by appointment only from your physician. | LEARN MORE 

The track is also hosting two blood drives. The first on May 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time is in partnership with The American Red Cross. To schedule an appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter the key word “Lapsforlife.” The second blood drive is on May 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time in partnership with Atrium Health and OneBlood. Donors are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive. To schedule an appointment, visit www.oneblood.org/speedway.

Daytona International Speedway: After a month of providing drive-up COVID-19 testing as a community service, AdventHealth will begin phasing out the screening over the next two weeks as the state of Florida and local businesses reopen. Since opening the first drive-up testing location at Daytona International Speedway, AdventHealth tested nearly 20,000 people (including more than 5,000 at Daytona International Speedway). Of those tested, less than 2 percent were positive. The tests were available to anyone with symptoms or close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, even if they are not currently experiencing symptoms. Those who wish to be tested do not need a doctor’s order prior to arrival. There are no out-of-pocket costs, regardless of insurance status. AdventHealth will cover the cost of those who are uninsured at the community drive-up testing sites. The test consists of spitting into a cup.

Dover International Speedway: The Delaware track is now a donation center, hosting a Personal Protection Equipment Community Donation Drive. Donors can drive up, but not exit their vehicle as Bayhealth personnel will remove the items.  | LEARN MORE

Las Vegas Motor Speedway: The track hosted The American Red Cross of Nevada’s blood drives on March 27, April 2, 7 and 11 in the Thrive Hill Digital Center in speedway infield and will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time on those days. | LEARN MORE

Martinsville Speedway: The Virginia track worked with The Harvest Foundation and other local healthcare providers and government leaders to turn the speedway grounds into a COVID-19 testing center. As of April 8, the track is now open as a testing site but patients must be referred by their physician to be tested. Testing for now is scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from noon to 4 p.m. local time. | LEARN MORE

Pocono Raceway: The Pennsylvania track has started the #Air5Challenge – a social media initiative geared towards spreading positivity and gratitude to individuals who are inspiring us right now. Follow the three-step process at the link here and The Mattioli Foundation in coordination with Pocono Raceway, will donate $1 each time the #Air5Challenge hashtag is used. They are pledging $5,000 for the Pocono Mountains United Way ‘Crisis Response Fund.’ | LEARN MORE

Texas Motor Speedway: The track will host blood drives with The American Red Cross on June 24, July 22 and August 13 at the Lone Star Condominium Clubhouse from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time. The track hosted blood drives on April 1 and May 6 as well.

DRIVERS
Jimmie Johnson: The seven-time champ set up a fundraising effort for the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, Inc. where anyone who donates at least $25 will be entered to win signed Jimmie Johnson race worn shoes. The winner will be selected randomly at the conclusion of the fundraising period after June 1. The Center for Disaster Philanthropy, Inc. is an organization that has started the CDP COVID-19 Response Fund which focuses on supporting local nonprofit organizations working in areas identified as having high numbers of affected individuals and those who are working with the most vulnerable populations in these areas to help build their capacity for response. | LEARN MORE

Kevin Harvick: Harvick’s Kevin Harvick Foundation pledged to match Hamlin’s donation of $6,400. Harvick has also set up a fundraising effort for the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, Inc. where anyone who donates at least $25 will be entered to win a signed Kevin Harvick fire suit. The winner will be selected randomly at the conclusion of the fundraising period after June 1. | LEARN MORE

Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Earnhardt has set up a fundraising effort for the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, Inc. where anyone who donates at least $25 will be entered to win a signed pair of skeleton racing gloves by Dale Earnhardt Jr. The winner will be selected randomly at the conclusion of the fundraising period after June 1. | LEARN MORE

Denny Hamlin: Hamlin and sponsor FedEx are teaming up to donate 60,000 meals to the food bank in his hometown of Chesterfield, Virginia. | LEARN MORE … Hamlin pledged $100 for each lap led in the iRacing Pro Series Invitational race at the virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway and $5,000 for winning the race in a donation through The NASCAR Foundation and Feed the Children to benefit families in the Homestead-Miami are affected by COVID-19. Hamlin won the race and led 14 laps to raise a total of $6,400. Hamlin revealed on Twitter that the Coca-Cola Racing Family matched his donation as well to bring the total from his donation and matching donations to over $40,000.

Hamlin is the latest athlete to join Fanatics’ ALL IN Challenge, which has pegged itself as the largest digital fundraiser ever. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver and three-time Daytona 500 winner announced he’s offering up the opportunity to play Michael Jordan’s new exclusive golf club in Florida alongside himself and PGA Tour’s Bubba Watson. That’s not all. In addition to the round of golf, the package will feature a private flight and VIP access to the 2021 Daytona 500. | LEARN MORE

Kyle Busch: Like Hamlin, the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion has joined Fanatics’ ALL IN Challenge, offering up a VIP experience for two guests to a future race. | LEARN MORE

Kurt Busch: Also joining in on Fanatics’ ALL IN Challenge, the Chip Ganassi Racing driver and 2004 Cup Series champion is offering up a helicopter ride to the NASCAR events at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where VIP passes will be waiting. He says it’ll be a “dream race weekend.” | LEARN MORE

Austin Hill, Max McLaughlin, Derek Kraus, and two Hattori Racing Enterprises employees are going to be racing weekly and we’re opening registrations up to the public for a minimum $5.00 donation to FeedNC.org in Mooresville. FeedNC.org’s pantry program provides groceries and prepared meals for over 700 hungry families around the Charlotte areas. The first race will be this Saturday night (3/28) at 8:00 p.m. ET with the trucks at Texas. | LEARN MORE

Brad Keselowski: Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation is partnering with Atrium Health Cabarrus and Mr. C’s restaurant to provide meals for healthcare providers working tirelessly to fight COVID-19. A donation of $10 will provide a meal to the medical professionals caring for our community. Additionally, his Keselowski Advanced Manufacturing company has worked with groups to meet demands for face shields for healthcare workers. | LEARN MORE

Joey Logano: The Joey Logano Foundation in partnership with Elevation Outreach has established a $1 million COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. The funding will address a variety of needs including educational equity and access, medical supplies, food distribution and financial shortages throughout the greater Charlotte area and communities across the United States. | LEARN MORE

The Joey Logano Foundation partnered with The NASCAR Foundation, Convoy of Hope and Elevation Outreach to host a distribution event at Darlington Raceway on Monday, May 18.

INDUSTRY PARTNERS/TEAMS
NASCAR R&D Center: The NASCAR Research & Development Center is printing face shields for local hospitals and doctors to help protect medical professionals as they treat COVID-19. Right now, hospitals in North Carolina and Georgia will be receiving masks that are made at the Concord, North Carolina facility. Senior Director of Aerodynamics and Vehicle Performance Eric Jacuzzi explained the process to NASCAR.com’s Alex Weaver in this video. | LEARN MORE

The Real Heroes Project: NASCAR is among 14 professional sports leagues taking part in “The Real Heroes Project,” a collaborative initiative to recognize and celebrate healthcare workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Athletes are dedicating their jerseys and uniforms to a special healthcare hero who is helping their community on the forefront of this global crisis. Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick are taking part in this program. | LEARN MORE

The NASCAR Foundation: Through its website, The NASCAR Foundation is collecting donations to help families in need. Proceeds will go directly to delivering food, supplies, safety items and more to racing communities impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. In conjunction with the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway, proceeds went to Feed the Children in the Homestead-Miami area. In conjunction with the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series races at virtual Texas Motor Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway, the foundation worked with Speedway Children’s Charities — the official charity of Speedway Motorsports. For the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race at virtual Richmond Raceway, proceeds will go to Blessings in a Backpack. For the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race at virtual Dover International Speedway, the charity partner for response to COVID-19 is the Bayhealth Foundation in partnership with The NASCAR Foundation. | LEARN MORE

RELATED: NASCAR Acceleration Nation offers at-home STEM learning

Stewart-Haas Racing: The race team repurposed two of its 53-foot haulers — typically used for transporting the race cars to tracks across the country — to pick up 2 million face masks and deliver them to healthcare provider Novant Health, replenishing its supplies and ensuring its frontline team members are protected. | LEARN MORE. … SHR also announced May 11 that it has produced webcam carts for use in intensive care units by Novant Health. Stewart-Haas delivered 10 carts with plans to make 110 more. The units allow remote monitoring of patients, limiting exposure for healthcare workers on the front lines. The webcam carts are also coated with an anti-microbial finish from Axalta to facilitate easier cleaning. | LEARN MORE

Richard Childress Racing: Team owner Richard Childress launched an auction and sale of memorabilia and other items to benefit national and local COVID-19 relief efforts. The auction and sale include thousands of rare, hard-to-find and exclusive items from RCR’s 50-plus years in NASCAR. Among items being auctioned is an original No. 3 Chevrolet once raced by Dale Earnhardt, complete with the engine. This will mark the first time Childress has parted with an original Earnhardt car from his collection. | LEARN MORE … RCR has also used the organization’s water jet machine to produce full-face shields, following a design formulated at Georgia Tech. The team is shipping the shields and final assembly instructions to healthcare facilities across the USA. | LEARN MORE

Roush Fenway Racing: The race team’s shop is manufacturing a device similar to that of a “sneeze guard” at a salad bar. The device works as a clear guard is placed over the patient in bed, covering his or her upper body from head to about chest level. There are two holes that allow physicians and nurses access, but the protection helps prevent the kind of immediate exposure that has spread the virus. | LEARN MORE

Team Penske: The organization is assisting Stratasys — a technical partner for Team Penske — by making 3D-printed face shields at the race shop. | LEARN MORE

Hendrick Motorsports: The organization’s team of engineers have focused on production of personal protective equipment, teaming with physicians at Charlotte-based Atrium Health. Its 3-D printers and laser cutters have been put to use to make reusable face shields for front-line health-care workers. | LEARN MORE

Wood Brothers Racing: The race team is raising money to purchase tablets for seniors in an effort to help keep the seniors in touch with family that may not be able or allowed to visit in their nursing homes and assisted living facilities. | LEARN MORE

Kyle Busch Motorsports: The organization is using its Stratasys 3D printing device to help produce face shields. | LEARN MORE

Halmar Friesen Racing: The Gander Trucks organization is using its race hauler — which usually brings the No. 52 entry for driver Stewart Friesen to the track — to deliver 16 tons of food to areas in need over a two-day stretch. | LEARN MORE

Ford: The automobile manufacturer is partnering with 3M, GE and UAW to use assembly to manufacture ventilators. | LEARN MORE … Ford drivers participating in the eNASCAR Pro Invitational iRacing Series at virtual Richmond plan to run special paint schemes to raise awareness and show support for Ford’s Project Apollo, an effort to produce respirators, masks, PPE and COVID-19 test collection kits. | LEARN MORE

3M: The company is partnering with Ford, GE and UAW to use assembly to manufacturer ventilators and is also stepping up its production of key medical supplies. | LEARN MORE

Dixie Vodka: The company will donate 10 percent of all online sales to the USBG Foundation focused on the Bartenders Emergency Assistance Program.

DraftKings: From March 24 to April 7, #DKRally will run in an effort to create a large-scale social engagement campaign to raise awareness of the importance of charitable giving to those in need as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. DK is hoping to reach its goal of donating $1,000,000 to the United Way’s COVID-19 Relief Efforts after its initial donation of $500,000. | LEARN MORE

Fanatics: The sports retailer — which sells the official gear for several sports leagues, including NASCAR — has shifted its production of Major League Baseball uniforms to use the fabric for much-needed protective masks and hospital gowns for healthcare and emergency workers. | LEARN MORE

FedEx: In addition to keeping its shipping operations moving amidst higher demand during the crisis, FedEx has worked with the U.S. government to quickly transport COVID-19 test specimens from 50 remote drive-thru locations across 12 states, devoting 28 flight legs to assist with a rapid testing response. The company has also coordinated with global relief efforts, deploying medical shelters and transporting medical supplies and aid internationally. | LEARN MORE

Anheuser-Busch: The beer manufacturer is partnering with the Red Cross and sports partners to convert empty arenas and stadiums into temporary centers for blood donations large enough to accommodate social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. | LEARN MORE.  … Everyone could use a companion for the couch right now. So if you foster (or adopt) a dog from Midwest Animal Rescue, Busch will give you three months’ worth of Busch to enjoy by their side | LEARN MORE (MUST BE 21+)

Toyota: Toyota Motor North America, Inc. and its affiliates across 13 states have donated $500,000 to the United Way to assist those in need with food, water, childcare and other emergency relief needs. | LEARN MORE

Coca-Cola: The philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company, The Coca-Cola Foundation awarded $13.5 million in grants to five non-profit organizations (Feeding America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada, Food Banks Canada and Center for Disaster Philanthropy) working on the front lines of U.S. and Canadian humanitarian response to the coronavirus pandemic. | LEARN MORE

Elgin Sweepers and parent company Federal Signal are working directly with those on the frontlines to reclaim, recover and revive outdoor spaces during this time.  This includes use of sprayer and vacuum systems to sanitize outdoor areas, as well as the manufacturing of face shields to protect essential workers. | LEARN MORE

Verizon: The company launched Pay it Forward Live, a weekly streaming entertainment series that will include music, gaming, comedy and more in support of small businesses affected by COVID-19. Dave Matthews was the first performer to take part in a 30-minute performance from home. Over the course of the series, all viewers who tune in will be encouraged to tag their favorite local businesses and make a purchase in advance for when businesses reopen. Verizon donated $2.5 million to Local Initiatives Support Corporation, a national nonprofit that has invested $20 billion to fuel economic opportunity for people and communities across America. | LEARN MORE

Amazon Web Services: The company has launched the AWS Diagnostic Development Initiative—a program to support customers who are working to bring better, more accurate, diagnostics solutions to market faster and promote better collaboration across organizations that are working on similar problems. As part of this, it is committing an initial investment of $20 million to accelerate diagnostic research, innovation, and development to speed our collective understanding and detection of COVID-19 and other innovate diagnostic solutions to mitigate future infectious disease outbreaks. | LEARN MORE

Posted on by Staff Report

Mercury Records Nashville recording artist Travis Denning will perform a virtual pre-race concert Sunday before the sixth eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race, the eNASCAR Finish Line 150. Denning will join NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey LaJoie and NASCAR.com digital host Alex Weaver for the online event.

Denning’s current Top 10 single “After A Few” is continuing to ascend the charts at Country Radio and follows the success of his debut Top 40 single “David Ashley Parker From Powder Springs.” Denning will release his highly anticipated debut EP BEER’S BETTER COLD on May 15.  Denning co-wrote five out of the six songs on the upcoming project that will include his current Top 10 hit as well as the “wickedly fun good-riddance” (People) break-up anthem “ABBY” and more. Denning will chat about the upcoming race at the virtual Dover International Speedway. The race, which is set to air at 1 p.m. ET on FOX (check local listings), FS1 and the FOX Sports App, will feature some of NASCAR’s biggest names in action.

RELATED: Pro Invitational Series entry list for Dover | Check out paint schemes for the race

Denning joins the list of virtual pre-race acts since the Pro Invitational Series was conceived and developed in advance of the Dixie Vodka 150 at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway on March 22. Tim Dugger, Cole Swindell, Justin Moore and Cody Cannon of the band Whiskey Myers have played a virtual pre-race show for the events, with Country Music Hall of Famer, Randy Owen of the supergroup Alabama taking the reins last week.

Fans can catch the virtual pre-race concert Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET on NASCAR’s YouTube and Facebook channels. Preorder Denning’s EP here: https://nas.cr/3aNqXPR

Posted on by Staff Report

NASCAR announced Thursday its revised May schedule, with plans to return to racing at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, May 17 with a full slate of races throughout the month.

MORE: NASCAR announces revised schedule | FAQs for NASCAR’s return

Drivers took to Twitter to offer their reactions to the news.

 

Posted on by NASCAR.com

Name: David
Current City: Elmira, New York
Member Since: 2014

Getting to KNOW David:
​
Q. ​How did you first become interested in NASCAR?
“My dad was a big NASCAR fan before I was born. He even named me after his then favorite drive Davey Allison. I always enjoyed watching and attending races for as long as I can remember. I guess you could say I was born to be a NASCAR fan. I also became a Davey Allison fan and I remember going to the races at Watkins Glen International every year growing up.”

Q. What is your favorite part about NASCAR?
“I enjoy going to the races a few times a year. There is nothing like the sights and sounds of a race weekend.”

Q: What is your favorite NASCAR memory?
“It is very hard to pick out just one memory. I would have to say spending time walking around the track and garage with my dad over the years. We have had the opportunity to meet so many drivers. This past year I got to bring my son, Charlie, to his first race at Watkins Glen. It was very cool experience to share with my wife, mom, and, dad. I look forward to many more years of sharing my love for racing with my family.”

Q: Do you have a favorite in any of the following categories?
Driver: “Chase Elliott.”
Tracks: “Watkins Glen International.”
OEM: “Chevy.”
Sponsors: “I work in construction, so naturally I am a big DeWalt and Stanley Tools fan.”

Q. What are some of your hobbies?
“I enjoy spending time with my wife and son. I also enjoy woodworking. Of course, I enjoy a great NASCAR race on the weekends.”

​FROM ALL OF US AT NASCAR, WE THANK DAVID FOR HIS CONTINUED SUPPORT AND LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM HIM IN 2020!

Look for David on the Official NASCAR Fan Council page on NASCAR.COM.

Posted on by Terrin Waack

The National Basketball Association was the first professional sports league to suspend its 2020 schedule due to the COVID-19 outbreak on March 12. NASCAR followed suit on March 13, eventually postponing eight regular-season races overall.

Seven weeks have passed since those first dominos fell, and the world continues to carefully navigate its way through this pandemic.

On Thursday, NASCAR announced it’ll restart its season mid-May, the first professional sports league that will return to action.

RELATED: Official NASCAR statement | Details of return to racing | FAQ about 2020 season

“It’s a big factor in terms of getting it right,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “We realize up front it’s a huge responsibility for us as a sport. But I’m also confident in the group we’ve gathered to put this plan together. Our entire industry has come together to believe in the plan we’ve put together.

“We’re certainly going to learn as we go. But the process we put in place I think gives the industry the confidence that we can be first, we can do this in Darlington.”

The first event on the revised NASCAR schedule is set for May 17 at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. The Cup Series will race first, followed by two more events on May 19-20 — split between the Xfinity Series and Cup Series.

NASCAR will then go to Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina. The Cup Series will compete May 24 and 27. The Xfinity Series and Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series will have their own events May 25 and 26, respectively.

It adds up to seven races in 11 days.

“Events are going to look different than they have in the past,” said John Bobo, vice president of racing operations. “The way we travel to the event, the way we enter the event, move about in the event, the way we leave an event is going to be different.”

For starters, there will be no fans in attendance.

NASCAR will allow only essential personnel, who will still be required to social distance. Team rosters are being limited to 16 people, which includes the driver.

Everyone at the race track will then be regularly evaluated by temperature and symptom checks. NASCAR has chosen not to test people specifically for COVID-19.

“Really,” Bobo said, “those tests should be targeted for people most in need.”

These rules and restrictions — among many other precautions — were developed with help from public health officials, medical experts and local, state and federal officials.

NASCAR’s top priority is keeping everybody safe within the industry and in the communities it’ll visit. There’s a reason Darlington and Charlotte were chosen — they’re both driving distance from race shops in North Carolina. Travel means will continue to be taken into consideration as the sport further edits its season schedule.

“We know we have to work together as an industry to keep our own folks safe, to keep each community safe,” Bobo said. “But it is the discipline and the safety culture of NASCAR. We’re the organization that puts cars on the track four days a week at 200 miles an hour. We think it’s that same discipline and eye towards safety that everybody in our industry has that is going to help us execute on this.”

Posted on by Staff Report

Editor’s note: With NASCAR returning to Darlington Raceway for two Cup Series races in May, NASCAR historian Ken Martin compiled a history of racing at Darlington in the springtime.

The Southern 500 has been a NASCAR Labor Day tradition since 1950, but Cup Series racing in the springtime at Darlington dates back to 1952 when Dick Rathmann won a 100-mile event on May 10. Following that event, there was a five-year gap for spring races.

In May 1957, the NASCAR Convertible series competed at Darlington for the first time and would hold three races in 1957, 1958 & 1959. Not to detract from the Southern 500 tradition, it was called the Rebel 300. Hall of Fame drivers Fireball Roberts (2) and Curtis Turner were race winners.

With the closing of the Convertible series following the 1959 season, in 1960, the Rebel 300 continued as a Grand National (Cup Series) event, although the cars that raced were convertibles. Track president Bob Colvin wanted to keep the Southern 500 intact, allowing only convertibles from 1960-62. This was the single race on the Cup circuit for convertibles during that period.

RELATED: Best Darlington stripes through the years | All-time team for all eras at Darlington

The hardtops raced in 1963 and held a place on the schedule in spring until 2014. In 1967 the length of the race was extended to 400 miles; in 1973, it was extended to a 500-mile event. In 1994 the spring race was shortened back to 400 miles.

In 1970 ABC Sports and NASCAR entered into an agreement that allowed the network to join five events “live in progress.” One of the first broadcasts under that arrangement came at Darlington May 9, 1970. Shortly after joining the live event, Richard Petty suffered one of the worst crashes of his career, careening into the pit wall on the front stretch. NASCAR veteran announcer Bob Montgomery reported from the infield care center, while Ned Jarrett and Jim McKay provided updates from the booth. It was a stunning moment to see the sport’s most prominent star in such an accident.

RELATED: NASCAR returns May 17 at Darlington Raceway | FAQs about NASCAR’s return

When the fall Labor Day event was taken from Darlington following the 2005 season, racing in the spring in April or May became the only event for the next 10 years.

In 2015 the Southern 500 returned to Labor Day weekend and continues to this day.

The May 12, 2014 race won by Kevin Harvick was the last Darlington race in the spring.

SIGNIFICANT SPRING MOMENTS AT DARLINGTON

  • 2003: The finish between Ricky Craven and Kurt Busch remains tied at the closest finish in Cup history.
  • 1979: An epic battle between Darrell Waltrip, Richard Petty, and Donnie Allison over the final five laps of the race found lead changes on every lap. The competition between “Jaws” and “The King” was seen as a changing of the guard in the sport.
  • 1970: Richard Petty’s spectacular crash captured live on ABC.
  • 1968: David Pearson wins for the first time at his home-state track. He remains the all-time win leader at Darlington with 10 wins.
  • 1987: Dale Earnhardt passes Bill Elliott in the final corner of the last lap to win, while Elliott runs out of gas.
  • 1988: Hard luck campaigner Lake Speed captures his first and only career win. He expresses raw emotion in Victory Lane.
  • 1961: This race marked the arrival of Fred Lorenzen as a superstar. Lorenzen battled Curtis Turner over the final laps in a bumper-banging duel.
Posted on by Official NASCAR Release

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 30, 2020) – NASCAR today announced it will return to racing on May 17, which will kick off a slate of races that includes seven events in three series at two race tracks – Darlington Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series will each host its first on-track event since mid-March.

The NASCAR Cup Series will return to Darlington Raceway on Sunday, May 17, with a 400-mile event scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET, live on FOX, FOX Deportes, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

RELATED: Darlington, Charlotte to host seven events in 11 days | History of springtime racing at Darlington

What follows is a unique schedule that includes midweek races in primetime and a NASCAR crown jewel – the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway – in its traditional Memorial Day Weekend home for the 60th consecutive season.

The opening slate of races is as follows:

DATE TRACK SERIES DISTANCE NETWORK START (ET)
Sun., May 17 Darlington Cup 400 miles FOX 3:30 p.m.
Tue., May 19 Darlington Xfinity 200 miles FS1 8 p.m.
Wed., May 20 Darlington Cup 500 km FS1 7:30 p.m.
Sun., May 24 Charlotte Cup 600 miles FOX 6 p.m.
Mon., May 25 Charlotte Xfinity 300 miles FS1 7:30 p.m.
Tue., May 26 Charlotte Gander 200 miles FS1 8 p.m.
Wed., May 27 Charlotte Cup 500 km FS1 8 p.m.

Each of NASCAR’s return events will be run without fans in attendance. Further schedule adjustments will be announced in the future.

“NASCAR and its teams are eager and excited to return to racing, and have great respect for the responsibility that comes with a return to competition,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “NASCAR will return in an environment that will ensure the safety of our competitors, officials and all those in the local community. We thank local, state and federal officials and medical experts, as well as everyone in the industry, for the unprecedented support in our return to racing, and we look forward to joining our passionate fans in watching cars return to the track.”

“We are excited to welcome back the FOX NASCAR season to our airwaves to provide a return to live sports, a move toward normalcy and a much-needed distraction during these unprecedented times,” said Mark Silverman, President, National Networks, FOX Sports. “While we are thrilled to return to the race track, the health and safety of our employees and all race participants is our top priority.  We will continue working in lockstep with our partners at NASCAR and the race tracks to follow all national and local health guidelines.”

MORE: FAQ on NASCAR’s return to racing for the 2020 season

Following thorough collaboration with public health officials, medical experts and state and federal officials, NASCAR has implemented a comprehensive health and safety plan. In accordance with CDC, OSHA and state and local government recommendations, nearly every aspect of how the event is conducted will be significantly modified, including:

  • One-day shows;
  • Mandated use of personal protective equipment throughout the event;
  • Health screenings for all individuals prior to entering the facility, while inside the facility and exiting the facility;
  • Social distancing protocols throughout the event;
  • Strict limits on the number of individuals who are granted access into each facility

As NASCAR works towards the execution of these events, the sanctioning body will continue to work with state and local authorities based on trends and local restrictions.

In-race competition procedures remain largely unchanged, though NASCAR will eliminate practice for all events during this opening return slate, as well as qualifying for all events except the Coca-Cola 600.

Posted on by Staff Report

NASCAR announced Thursday the schedule for the first set of races throughout May in the sport’s return after the COVID-19 outbreak. Below are answers to some potential questions.

RELATED: NASCAR sets return to racing | Darlington to restart season on May 17

Is it safe for racing to resume?
NASCAR is working closely with health experts and government officials to ensure best practices and has a plan in place to minimize any risks associated with the virus.

Why is NASCAR racing without fans?
NASCAR prides itself in being a fan-friendly sport. Fans drive everything NASCAR does, and NASCAR looks forward to the day when it can welcome fans back to the track. The decision to race without fans for these races is focused on the long-term health of the fans and the sport.

Does the May 17 race at Darlington Raceway replace the Southern 500 on Labor Day Weekend? Does it replace another previously scheduled race?
The Southern 500 on Labor Day weekend does not change. NASCAR currently is working through future schedule scenarios and will provide updates as soon as they are available.

RELATED: History of springtime racing at Darlington

Will the slate of races announced Thursday all be one-day shows?
Yes. This was decided after thorough collaboration with public health officials, medical experts and state and federal officials.

Will there be practice and qualifying?
There will be no practice sessions for any of the events announced Thursday. Qualifying will only take place for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Will this COVID-19 schedule cause NASCAR to change the playoff format and the tracks involved in the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs?
There are no changes to the playoff schedule at this time, but the situation remains fluid. There are also no changes to the playoff format or structure.

What are the plans for the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series?
Schedule adjustments for all NASCAR series remain in progress and will be announced at a later date. The plan remains to run a full schedule for all NASCAR series.

How is NASCAR working to maintain social distancing?
There are several measures being implemented, among them:

— Keeping workspaces separated unless absolutely necessary, and if a group of people works closely, that group will have little to no interaction with other groups.

— Haulers and race cars will have an open space between them — 6 feet minimum — and those spaces must remain clear.

— For Darlington, the Cup garage and motorcoach lot in Turn 3 will be the new “garage.”

— Twenty haulers will be in the traditional Cup garage; balance of the field will be in the motorcoach lot.

— Inspection of vehicles to correspond with the order teams enter the garage; as soon as a team enters, it would unload the car and proceed to inspection.

RELATED: Latest updates from NASCAR regarding coronavirus 

How did NASCAR determine the number of team personnel allowed at the track?
NASCAR worked closely with teams to determine that rosters will consist of 16 team members. That number includes the driver, owner, hauler driver, spotter and crew chief, among others.

Will crew members perform pit stops at these events?
Yes, live pit stops will be in play for these races.

Are the races at Darlington and Charlotte scheduled for those specific tracks because they are within driving distance of Charlotte-area shops?
Yes, although there were several factors involved. Primarily, NASCAR worked with local governments who have determined it was safe to return to racing in their state. These two tracks are within driving distance, so no competitors have to fly and the time spent in these communities is minimized.

What if a driver develops symptoms before the race and can’t participate? Will a backup driver be allowed, and what are the championship implications of that?
We’ve worked with the race teams to update the rulebook provisions for medical waivers to account for potential missed races due to COVID-19 infection.

Posted on by Brad Norman

NASCAR is scheduled to make its return to racing on Sunday, May 17, at Darlington Raceway with a NASCAR Cup Series race that will serve as the first of seven races over an 11-day span at two different race tracks throughout May, the sanctioning body announced Thursday.

The race at the historic South Carolina track will be held without fans in attendance and is slated to be NASCAR’s first on-track action in more than two months as the sport and world in general have been on pause during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RELATED: FAQs for NASCAR’s return | Official NASCAR press release 

The May 17 race is a 400-miler, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET, live on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. It also is the first of three races at the track, including a second Cup Series race held midweek under the lights three days later.

The May schedule also includes the crown jewel Coca-Cola 600 in its traditional Memorial Day Weekend home for the 60th consecutive season, plus midweek races in prime time.

Below are the races announced Thursday:

Date Series Venue Distance Network Start
Sun., May 17 Cup Series Darlington 400 miles FOX 3:30 p.m. ET
Tue., May 19 Xfinity Series Darlington 200 miles FS1 8 p.m. ET
Wed., May 20 Cup Series Darlington 500 km FS1 7:30 p.m. ET
Sun., May 24 Cup Series Charlotte 600 miles FOX 6 p.m. ET
Mon., May 25 Xfinity Series Charlotte 300 miles FS1 7:30 p.m. ET
Tue., May 26 Gander Trucks Charlotte 200 miles FS1 8 p.m. ET
Wed., May 27 Cup Series Charlotte 500 km FS1 8 p.m. ET

“NASCAR and its teams are eager and excited to return to racing, and have great respect for the responsibility that comes with a return to competition,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “NASCAR will return in an environment that will ensure the safety of our competitors, officials and all those in the local community. We thank local, state and federal officials and medical experts, as well as everyone in the industry, for the unprecedented support in our return to racing, and we look forward to joining our passionate fans in watching cars return to the track.”

NASCAR officials have collaborated with public health officials, medical experts and local, state and federal officials to create a comprehensive plan to ensure the health and safety of competitors and surrounding communities at the above events. All races will be strictly tailored, in every way, to follow specific guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Event procedures will be significantly modified in accordance with CDC, OSHA and state and local government recommendations — including hosting one-day shows at the above tracks, which are all within driving distance of North Carolina race shops to minimize travel and time spent in a community.

There will be no practice sessions for any event, and qualifying will only be held for the Coca-Cola 600.

Other adjustments include mandating the use of protective equipment, health screenings for all individuals before entering the facility and maintaining social distancing protocols throughout the event.

Of note, the May 17 race — and then the May 20 Cup Series race at Darlington — will not replace the scheduled Southern 500 on Labor Day Weekend, the opener of the NASCAR Playoffs. NASCAR intends to keep its 10-race postseason format and tracks involved unchanged, but the situation remains fluid.

No dates beyond May 27 have been announced, but NASCAR officials have said on multiple occasions that the sanctioning body intends to run a full 36-race NASCAR Cup Series slate in 2020.

Additional schedule updates specific to tracks that have had races postponed, and are not part of this new May schedule, will be revealed at a later date.

MORE: A special look at Darlington Raceway in the springtime

NASCAR’s most recent race of the 2020 season saw Joey Logano win his second event of the year at Phoenix Raceway on March 8, the fourth race weekend of the season.

The series was slated to visit Atlanta Motor Speedway the following weekend, but worldwide impact from the novel coronavirus led to NASCAR postponing the Atlanta weekend and the ensuing race weekend, scheduled to be at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

In response to public health officials’ advice regarding the outbreak of coronavirus in the United States and abroad, ensuing races scheduled for Texas Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Richmond Raceway, Talladega Superspeedway, Dover International Speedway and Martinsville Speedway later were postponed as well.